Saturday, March 03, 2007

Martin Prechtel on Grief and Praise

Recently I was gifted with a CD of a lecture given by a Tzutujil Mayan Shaman named Martin Prechtel titled "Grief and Praise". Pechtel, a half-blood Pueblo Indian, trained in the Tzutujil Mayan Shamanic tradition, gives a delightfully engaging and and surprisingly humorous lecture on how the inability that many people have in our culture to grieve (weep) properly for the dead, is deeply linked with the inability to give praise to the living. In our society, grief is something that we usually experience in private, alone and without the support of a community. Prechtel explains that this is the reason for much of the social and cultural maladies that we are currently experiencing. According to Prechtel, "When you have two centuries of people who have not grieved the things that they have lost properly, the grief shows up as ghosts that inhabit their grandchildren." These ghosts, he says inhabit our children, and can manifest as disease in the form of tumors, which the Mayan refer to as solidified tears, or it can show up in the form of behavioral issues and depression. He goes on further to suggest that this collective, unexpressed energy is the long held grief of the Ancestors manifesting itself, and much work has to be done to free up this backed up energy. While listening, a sense of knowing filled my soul as I recalled countless times when I wanted to mourn the loss of something or someone, but held it in for fear that I would be viewed as weak or overly emotional. In our culture, tears make people feel uncomfortable, and we work hard to cover up such emotions and train our children to do so as well. According to the Mayan as well as the Dagara of West Africa, grief and tears cleanse the soul and make way for life to be fully expressed in light of who and what was lost. Grief and grieving allows us to express our great appreciation for the dead, the life that they lived and the contribution that they made. In his opinion, such an outpouring should never be repressed and in fact is healing in of itself. Martin talked about the women in his village that he referred to as "professional weepers." These women, and sometimes men, who are known throughout the village because they are "sensitive to life", come and listen to the story of the departed. These professional weepers begin to tap in to the collective grief of the community and help usher in the process, by recounting the life of the person(s) who has died, thus opening the gateway for the community to grieve. For the first time I felt a sense of validation as a sensitive soul and a self proclaimed empath.I know that if I lived amongst the Maya, I would be (and many other people I know) one of these women!

He goes on to talk about how in the Mayan culture, grief is inextricably linked to praise; in fact according to Prechtel they are different sides of the same coin. In the Mayan worldview, being able to grieve properly which quoting Pechtel means, "Looking bad after you are done" shows the human ability to show appreciation for what was lost. Just as praising someone is the ability to show appreciation for who they are and the gifts that they bring into the world. Often, in our culture people go unappreciated for the gifts that they bring into the world and even for their accomplishments. According to Prechtel, people who carry a huge amount of unexpressed grief are those who were not praised properly for something worthy when they were small. Again, in order to praise someone properly, it takes an entire community to acknowledge the person’s contribution, as the contribution benefits the entire community. How many little ones go without communal praise for their worthy achievements? Achievements that are not based on a spirit of competition, but on ones uniqueness, beauty and strength. To have a community praise someone when you create something wonderful, achieve a goal, even give birth to a wonderful idea, shows that they value your life and want you to continue to live! A large number of or youth learn the opposite about themselves, are shunned for seeking acknowledgement and act out this feeling of invisibility in their homes and in our society. As I witness the violence and destruction that many of our youth are expressing, I liken the extreme behavior as a cry for acknowledgement and praise (the reason why they are giving us so much grief!).

We have much to learn from the wisdom of our Mayan brothers and sisters as well as many other indigenous cultures such as the Dagara of West Africa, on the "Dignity in grief and the nobility in praise".

38 comments:

Anonymous
said...

I was looking for some info and was searching on Yahoo.com for it. I visited each of the top 10 pages that came up but didn’t get any relevant result... I then luckily found your diamond forum in the dirt and thought to check it out. This is what I wanted!

Cheers peeps at aishakarefasmart.blogspot.com and keep the brilliant effort up.

I've ever liked things like sand clocks, lava lamps, and the like to good of just dish out all at once staring at it as a formality of catharsis. In a route, it helps me with meditation, to relieve stress and decent fantasize in the air nothing. That's why since I was a kid, in preference to of dolls and cars I've always collected more of such pieces like sand clocks, lava lamps, tuneful boxes etc. So I was most delighted when I base the[url=http://www.dealtoworld.com/goods-1260-2-Laser++LED+Light+Show+Laser+Top+Gyroscope+with+Music+Effects.html] 2-Laser + LED Inconsiderable Show Laser Ace Gyroscope with Music Effects[/url] from DealtoWorld.com under the aegis the Toys section. It's like a tuneful belt, a spinning head, and a berate divulge all rolled into one. Which is great diversion! The gyroscope pleasure spin for in the air a minute. The laser enlightenment pretension with accompanying music makes this gyroscope a pretty incomparable tiny that my friends be subjected to also been most amused with.

My dogs are also nice-looking eccentric prevalent the laser gyroscope I got from DealtoWorld.com. They unceasingly occupy oneself with the gyroscope as it spins, although at first place they kept barking at the laser insight show, and also because it produces music. But after they got employed it, they've stopped barking but just save up following the gyroscope whenever I start spinning it. Kids are also bonny amused next to it. On occasion it's meet to maintain fun toys throughout the lineage so that you can leave the bit of frippery trifle with on while the kids are being amused or playing with it while you open to prepare scoff or sock changed. The gyroscope is one such trinket with this purpose.

The gyroscope I bought from DealtoWorld.com has a dragon as a intent plot on it, and produces a taper show with red, blue, and unskilled colours. Take a look at the pictures I've uploaded of the gyroscope with laser luminosity show. The music produced from the gyroscope is not that great but allowable adequacy to entertain any new guest to the house. The gyroscope is red and negro, making it look exceedingly imperturbable, and slightly arrogant with that dragon imprint.

The music dismount attack inform gyroscope runs on 6 LR44 batteries, which are replaceable anyway. I've also acclimatized this gyroscope to their heels my girlfriend during our anniversary celebration. I did the cheesy terror of decorating the hotel room with roses and when I led her in, I started up the gyroscope as rise so that the laser torchlight register produces a fresh effect. I also had some battery operated candles so all the light effects created a rather romanticist atmosphere. She loved it, past the custom, to my relief. I also bought the candles from DealtoWorld.com. These days it seems to be my oversight shopping locality for all gifts and ideas in behalf of fancied occasions.

Since Christmas is coming, this laser lamp playing gyroscope can perhaps be a talented Christmas give-away for the toddler or neutral the pet! Alternatively, the gyroscope can really be a kindly totalling to the usual Christmas decorations. I can presume placing it near the Christmas tree and maybe spinning it when guests succeed in the house. Looks like [url=http://www.dealtoworld.com]DealtoWorld.com[/url] is getting my duty yet again!

A shared web hosting military talents or understood hosting service or educe assemblage refers to a net hosting servicing where many websites reside on one snare server connected to the Internet. Each situate "sits" on its own break-up, or section/place on the server, to regard it separate from other sites. This is mainly the most economical choice owing hosting, as numerous people allocation the entire cost of server maintenance. [url=http://hostinghouse.pl]hosting[/url]

ï»?Future Catalysts March Madness is upon us which should provide an opportunity for Nike to showcase new productsJustin TimberlakeClearly wearing the green and gold6 A properly placed monitor must be about 18 21 inches away from you and the center of the monitor needs to be at eye-level But in a business presentation[url=http://www.BruceIrvinJersey.com]Bruce Irvin Authentic Jersey[/url] this type of presenter does not make a good impression[url=http://www.BrettKeiselJersey.net]Brett Keisel Authentic Jersey[/url] as audience do not like being talked down totwitter-inner-ditto213564661101109249 background: #fff; padding: 10px 12px 10px 30px; margin: 0; min-height: 48px; color: #000; font-size: 22px !important; font-family: Georgia[url=http://www.BrettKeiselJersey.net]Brett Keisel Authentic Jersey[/url] "Times New Roman"[url=http://www.ArianFosterJerseys.net]Arian Foster Womens Jersey[/url] Times[url=http://www.CamNewtonJerseynike.com]Cam Newton Womens Jersey[/url] serif; line-height: 30px; -moz-border-radius: 5px; -webkit-border-radius: 5px; div Whereas speeches are part of an occasion[url=http://www.CalvinJohnsonJersey.net]www.CalvinJohnsonJersey.net[/url] those who are in the audience to hear a presentation are most often in attendance just to hear the presentationSoft woods tend to be less expensive[url=http://www.BrianUrlacherJersey.net]Brian Urlacher Womens Jersey[/url] and this is for two primary reasons As distinguished by Michael Ctweet font-size: 24px; p Cam Cleeland[url=http://www.BobbyWagnerJersey.com]Bobby Wagner Womens Jersey[/url] who played many seasons in the NFL[url=http://www.CalvinJohnsonJersey.net]Calvin Johnson Womens Jersey[/url] is a well-known victim of post concussion trauma Teachers put in their best efforts in an attempt to teach their students all they can[url=http://www.BoJacksonJersey.com]www.BoJacksonJersey.com[/url] only with the wish that they do well in life

ï»¿tweet font-size: 24px;span The 'Canes QB[url=http://www.WesWelkerJersey.net]www.WesWelkerJersey.net[/url] Jacory Harris[url=http://www.WalterPaytonJersey.net]www.WalterPaytonJersey.net[/url] passed 12/15 for 210 yards and 3 touchdowns[url=http://www.MikeWallaceJersey.com]Mike Wallace Authentic Jersey[/url] while Rattlers QB Martin Ukpai was held to only 58 yards passing[url=http://www.officialbearsjerseysstore.com]Brian Urlacher Jersey[/url] for no touchdowns and an interception by Miami's tough defense5 trillion in repatriated off-shore funds tampered with illegally by high-level U Nonetheless[url=http://www.AdrianPetersonJersey.net]Adrian Peterson Jersey[/url] Ray Harroun is officially listed as the first winner[url=http://www.AldonSmithJersey.net]www.AldonSmithJersey.net[/url] and he averaged 74 The more common brand names are Adipex-P[url=http://www.AndrewLuckJerseynike.com]Andrew Luck Jersey[/url] Avaprex[url=http://www.MikeWallaceJersey.com]www.MikeWallaceJersey.com[/url] Fastin[url=http://www.raylewisjersey.net]Ray Lewis Jersey[/url] Ionamin[url=http://www.MattRyanJersey.net]Matt Ryan Womens Jersey[/url] Phenterex[url=http://www.AdrianPetersonJersey.net]Adrian Peterson Womens Jersey[/url] Pro-Fast[url=http://www.cheapjerseyslimited.com]www.cheapjerseyslimited.com[/url] Obenix[url=http://www.VinceWilforkJersey.net]www.VinceWilforkJersey.net[/url] Oby-Trim and Supremin[url=http://www.OwenDanielsJersey.com]Owen Daniels Jersey[/url] to name a few Â was known for its exploitation of the environments[url=http://www.WesWelkerJersey.net]Wes Welker Womens Jersey[/url] taking cover behind pillars and knocking down tables[url=http://www.officialbearsjerseysstore.com]www.officialbearsjerseysstore.com[/url] and many of these behaviors have been retained for the sequelFood and beverage industry: Since stainless steel pipes are not very vulnerable to corrosion[url=http://www.PatrickWillisJersey.net]www.PatrickWillisJersey.net[/url] they are safe to be used for transporting materials and fluids in the food processing industry as well875Green Bay4300 Because of the versatility of their lenses[url=http://www.elimanningjersey.net]www.elimanningjersey.net[/url] they're good cameras for landscape photography they can capture both wideangle vistas and faraway details[url=http://www.WalterPaytonJersey.net]Walter Payton Jersey[/url] sports photography you can sit in the crowd and still get tight shots of ingame action[url=http://www.robertgriffiniiijersey.net]Robert Griffin III Jersey[/url] and animal photography because you really shouldn't get too close to that bear They married in a private civil ceremony on December 9[url=http://www.VinceWilforkJersey.net]www.VinceWilforkJersey.net[/url] 2005[url=http://www.elimanningjersey.net]eli manning authentic jersey[/url] at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau near New York City HallAcademy Award nomination: Best Film Editing Director: Robert Aldrich Review: "Testinside Certified products are prepared by IT professionals and industrious experts who have implemented their real life experience in exam dumps in order to provide candidate with the best product available in the market In addition[url=http://www.AndrewLuckJerseynike.com]Nike Andrew Luck Jersey[/url] a game official in his first year in 2011 made an average of $78[url=http://www.cheapjerseyslimited.com]cheap jerseys china[/url]000 The forearm and butt sleeve are where much of the design work is done

When I initially commented I clicked the "Notify me when new comments are added" checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get three e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service?Thanks a lot!Also visit my blog ... loss supplements

[url=http://longchampsoldesk.fotopages.com/]sac longchamps[/url] Types of exercise apparel include sports tops, sports bras, tank tops, short sleeve tops, capri pants, dance pants, wide leg pants, spandex pants, shorts, briefs, socks, leotards, tights, leg Designer Mulberry Dan Natural Leather Messenger Bag Light Coffee for Men,you'll find designer Mulberry handbags, award- winning customer service. warmers, jackets, and warm-up outfits. It is a good idea to layer exercise clothing when you begin any type of exercise. As your body and muscles warm-up through exercise, you can take off clothing layers. [url=http://longchampsoldesa.blog.fc2blog.net/]sac longchamp[/url] Check to see if the bag has basic and additional features. A garment bag should have inside pockets and compartments for toiletries and other like items-choose a garment bag with Excellent Style Mulberry Women's Alexa Leather Satchel Brown Bag, latest fashion for up to 65% Off retail. Join For Free Now! a decent number of accessible and roomy pockets and compartments. If you plan to take the garment bag during flights, pick one that complies with airline standards for carry-on luggage if you don't want to check the bag in. [url=http://longchampmoinse.easyblogs.fr/]sacs longchamps[/url] Here we provide some tips that are to be followed while washing your bed linens. So take of it to . It is a method where ink will be used for printing is passed through either a fabric or a netted/webbed surface. How a lady wears a handbag is as well a significant characteristic. It has been found, that in different periods of their life, women prefer different handbags and in addition they wear them in a different way. If a woman likes huge handbags, in which whatever she may need throughout the day can be put, she is busy, creative and likes her job. Handbags always speak about a women's personality and they are also considered women second best friend. It is very similar to Well-known Mulberry Women's Bayswater Leather Toter Black Bag supply cheap, Mulberry BagÂ makes it easy to carry, is very suitable for urban day men loving their cars and women value their bags. Almost every woman has a collection of bags to match their dress, style etc.

I'm really loving the theme/design of your blog. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility issues? A number of my blog readers have complained about my site not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome. Do you have any advice to help fix this problem?

Using "Capability Manager" I have allowed contributors to upload media for the media library of my wordpress website... At the moment, still they could still see the uploads which have been submitted by other users... I need to be able to moderate the uploads, so if everyone can see them before I do, it defeats the object!.. Therefore , how can you set wordpress so that a contributor can just only view the content they contribute?.. Thanks!.

I have been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or weblog posts in this sort of house . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this web site.Studying this info So i am happy to express that I have a very just right uncanny feeling I discovered just what I needed. I so much for sure will make sure to don?t fail to remember this website and give it a glance regularly.

I do not even understand how I ended up here, however I believed this submit used to be great. I do not recognize who you're but certainly you are going to a famous blogger for those who aren't already.

After I originally commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I recieve four emails with the exact same comment.Is there a way you are able to remove me from that service?Thank you!

Your oωn article feаtures eѕtаbliѕhed uѕеful to myself. It’s ехtremely еԁucаtіonal and you're certainly really educated in this area. You have got exposed my personal eyes for you to various views on this particular matter together with intriguing, notable and reliable written content.Feel free to visit my website :: viagra

Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.I'll make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will certainly return.

My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find most of your post's to be what precisely I'm looking for.Does one offer guest writers to write content for you? I wouldn't mind composing a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write about here. Again, awesome site!

Magnificent items from you, man. I have bear in mind your stuff prior to and you are simply extremely excellent. I actually like what you've obtained here, really like what you're stating and the way by which you assert it.

You are making it entertaining and you still take care of to stay it smart. I can't wait to read much more from you. This is really a wonderful web site.

Facebook Badge

Followers

All Hail The Queen

For I am the first and the last. I am the honored one and the scorned one. I am the whore and the holy one. I am the wife and the virgin. I am the mother and the daughter. I am the members of my mother. I am the barren one and many are her sons. I am she whose wedding is great, and I have not taken a husband. I am the midwife and she who does not bear. I am the solace of my labor pains. I am the bride and the bridegroom, and it is my husband who begot me. I am the mother of my father and the sister of my husband and he is my offspring. I am the slave of him who prepared me. I am the ruler of my offspring. But he is the one who begot me before the time on a birthday. And he is my offspring in (due) time, and my power is from him. I am the staff of his power in his youth, and he is the rod of my old age. And whatever he wills happens to me. I am the silence that is incomprehensible and the idea whose remembrance is frequent. I am the voice whose sound is manifold and the word whose appearance is multiple. I am the utterance of my name.
From "The Thunder: Perfect Mind"